Classification and surgical treatment methods for partial traumatic upper lip deformity

OBJECTIVES: Establish a classification method for partial traumatic upper lip deformity and verify the classified repair method is superior to the traditional non-classified method. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Lip deformities caused by partial tissue defects of less than one-third of total lip length were classified into three types and conducted corresponding surgery based on philtrum ridge and orbicularis oris muscle involvement as well as the extent of roll line discontinuity. In this review, 42 cases were non-classified historical controls before the classification was devised, and 67 cases were classified. Data were collected 12 months after surgery. The pre- and post-operative data of all patients were compared. RESULTS: In classified patients, the scar width decreased significantly, from 3.1 ± 0.6 mm to 1.2 ± 0.2 mm; the height difference of the groove line was significantly reduced from 3.3 ± 0.9 mm to 0.9 ± 0.1 mm; the ratio of the vermilion area of the affected to healthy side decreased significantly from 1.37 ± 0.31 to 1.05 ± 0.17; the ratio of the lip peak height of the affected to healthy side in type III decreased significantly from 1.91 ± 0.32 to 1.07 ± 0.12; patient satisfaction rate was about 98.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes showed significant improvement of lip aesthetics with a high patient satisfaction rate in the classified group than the non-classified group.